| Fever/chills | - Try injecting interferon at bedtime if fever/chills develop 1-3 hours after the interferon injection
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol*) about 30-60 minutes before weekly interferon injection
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol*) 1-2 tablets prior to interferon injection and repeat 4-6 hours later if needed up to a maximum of 2,000 mg/day. Thus, do not exceed 6 tablets/day of 325 mg or 4 tablets/day of 500 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol*).
- Use ibuprofen [Advil*, Motrin*] or naproxen [Aleve*] if approved by your provider
- Try a cool sponge bath, ice pack or cold pack when you have a fever
- Use extra blankets and clothes when you have the chills
- Notify your provider if your temperature is above 101°F for more than 24-48 hours
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| Muscle and body aches | - Try injecting interferon at bedtime if body aches develop 1-3 hours after the interferon injection
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol*) about 30-60 minutes before weekly interferon injection
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol*) 1-2 tablets prior to interferon injection and repeat 4-6 hours later if needed up to a maximum of 2,000 mg/day. Thus, do not exceed 6 tablets/day of 325 mg or 4 tablets/day of 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol*).
- Use ibuprofen [Advil*, Motrin*] or naproxen [Aleve*] if approved by your provider
- Try low-impact exercise such as walking or low-impact aerobics as directed by your provider
- Maintain adequate fluid intake (at least six to eight non-caffeinated 8-oz glasses/day)
- Apply warm moist heat or massage areas
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| Headaches | - Maintain adequate fluid intake
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol*) or ibuprofen (Motrin*, Advil*) as directed by your provider
- Keep lights dim, wear sunglasses or stay in darkened rooms
- Try to get plenty of rest
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| Fatigue | - Try low-impact exercise such as walking or low-impact aerobics as directed by your provider
- Maintain adequate fluid intake (may have a caffeinated beverage in the morning)
- Take a short nap during the day
- Lessen your work schedule if possible
- Eat well-balanced meals every day
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| Depression | - Talk to your provider about your symptoms and medications that might help
- Always discuss thoughts of harming yourself or someone else with your provider
- Go to the nearest emergency room if you are in danger of harming yourself or others
- Do mild to moderate exercises at least 3 times/week as directed by your provider
- Join a hepatitis C support group
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| Anxiety and irritability | - Talk to your provider about your symptoms and medications that might help
- Always discuss thoughts of harming yourself or someone else with your provider
- Go to the nearest emergency room if you are in danger of harming yourself or others
- Do mild to moderate exercises at least 3 times/week as directed by your provider
- Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, taped exercises, yoga, Tai Chi or meditation
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine and maintain adequate fluid intake
- Join a hepatitis C support group
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| Insomnia | - Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day
- Do not read or watch TV in bed
- Limit daytime naps
- If ribavirin makes you jittery, take at 4-5 pm instead of before bedtime
- Limit fluid intake for 2 hours before bedtime to avoid having to get up to go to the bathroom
- Avoid caffeinated products, especially in the afternoon and at night
- Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime
- Take warm baths, read or listen to music, get a massage
- Try a glass of warm milk (contains tryptophan, a natural sleep agent)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl*) or other medications may be recommended by your provider
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| Dry mouth or mouth ulcers | - Brush teeth frequently, especially after eating
- Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol
- Drink plenty of water or use ice chips or sugar-free lemon drops
- Other medications may be needed for mouth sores/ulcers
- Ask your provider about medications that may help
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| Bad taste in mouth | - Use sugar-free lemon drops or real lemon wedges
- Eat a small amount of yogurt, 1/2 hour before meals or eat dark chocolate (monitor your glucose levels if you have diabetes)
- Drink lemonade or cranberry juice (monitor your glucose levels if you have diabetes)
- Eat food cold or at room temperature
- Brush teeth frequently, especially after eating, to eliminate metallic taste
- Use plastic utensils if experiencing metallic taste
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| Poor appetite | - Eat smaller, more frequent (4-6) meals throughout the day
- Drink protein drinks (Carnation Instant Breakfast*, Ensure* or Boost*)
- Eat snacks with protein (cheese, peanut butter, eggs)
- Eat whatever appeals to you even if not hungry. Eat a variety of foods
- Walk before a meal
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| Nausea and vomiting | - Take ribavirin with food
- Eat small meals
- Avoid foods or smells that trigger nausea. Try eating cold foods and avoiding cooking smells
- Eat healthy foods. Avoid greasy, spicy, acidic or sweet foods
- Try eating ginger in ginger tea, ginger ale or gingersnaps
- Eat some crackers or dry white toast if you feel sick in the morning
- Over-the-counter antacids or other medications may be recommended by your provider
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| Diarrhea | - Eat more soluble fiber like Bananas, white Rice, Applesauce and white Toast (the "BRAT" diet)
- Avoid foods that are spicy or acidic (like citrus)
- Avoid dairy products up to several days after diarrhea resolves
- Maintain adequate fluid intake (at least six to eight 8-oz glasses/day)
- Your provider may recommend loperamide (Imodium*) or methylcellulose (Citrucel*) or psyllium (Metamucil*)
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| Dehydration | - Increase intake of water or non-caffeinated beverages
- Water down juices, Gatorade* or Crystal Light*
- Avoid caffeinated beverages
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| Cough | - Increase intake of water or non-caffeinated beverages
- Use a humidifier
- Try sugar-free hard candy or cough drops
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| Dry skin/ rashes | - Avoid long, hot showers or baths
- Use moisturizing soaps (Dove*, Oil of Olay*, Cetaphil*)
- Use moisturizing lotion after showers (Aquaphor*, Absorbase*, Lac-Hydrin*)
- Use mild unscented laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners
- Use sunscreen
- Try rubbing or pressing on the itchy areas rather than scratching
- Use petroleum jelly on dry, itchy areas. Your provider may recommend other agents to help
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| Hair thinning or hair loss | - Avoid harsh hair products such as dyes, perms, gels, sprays and mousses
- Use a mild shampoo such as baby shampoo
- Avoid braiding hair; use a wide-tooth comb or soft brush
- Wear a cap, scarf, turban or wig
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| Injection site reactions | - Before injecting, warm your medicine by gently rolling the syringe in your hands for a minute
- Rotate/alternate your injection site - thigh, upper arm and abdomen. If you are thin, use the thigh area
- Do not inject into an area that is irritated, bruised or red
- Do not rub injection site
- Apply a cold pack
- Your provider may recommend applying hydrocortisone cream or other medications to help
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